Alex Kershaw
Fantasticology Tokyo: faults, flesh and flowers
Alex Kershaw Muscles and pears 2011 from Fantasticology Tokyo: faults, flesh and flowers 2011-13, production still, HD video and sound, 25:06 min, courtesy and © the artist
AGNSW Contemporary Project
In a multi-screen video installation, presented alongside raw and woodfired ceramics, Alex Kershaw considers the practice of Japanese flower arrangement, known as ikebana, and its relationship to the human body.
This project developed through a series of artistic collaborations in Japan and Australia, beginning with an artist residency in Tokyo in 2011. Individually titled, each video references the themes and influences that emerged during interviews Kershaw conducted with ikebana practitioners in Tokyo. The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which occurred during the production of the videos, permeates the work.
Adding a physical dimension to the exhibition, Kershaw collaborated with Sydney ceramic artist Barbara Campbell-Allen to produce a group of ceramic vessels, which were conceived as a response to the videos.
Kershaw’s other collaborators in this project include Osen Endo and Haruko Hiratsuka (Sogetsu School of Ikebana), Naohiro Kasuya (Ichiyo School of Ikebana), Itoh Teika (Ohara School of Ikebana) and sound artist Gail Priest.
AGNSW Contemporary Projects are supported by Andrew Cameron
12 Sep – 10 Nov 2013
Free admission